Leafs Fall To Isles In OT
They say ‘no man is an island’, yet Isles goalie Dwayne Roloson certainly would be justified in feeling marooned by his teammates last night. In spite of hitting the net sixty-one times, and clawing their way back from a three-nil deficit, the Toronto Maple Leafs found a way to lose last night, but amidst the heart break, Coach Wilson took the loss in stride while giving credit where credit is due.
“That’s what a goalie stealing a game looks like”, a composed Ron Wilson proclaimed to the press last night, adding: “Roly was spectacular”. And he most certainly was. To say the Leafs had no finish would be committing a grave injustice to both the Buds, and to the visiting goalie. The fourty-year old keeper turned away quality chances by the dozen, and was the sole reason that the Isles left town with the extra point. No shame in this one, not for the D, not for the shooters, and not for the goalie. Speculation that Tosk relieved himself after leaving a stinker on the ice in the second are inaccurate. Sort of. He informed Wilson that he tweaked his groin, and wouldn’t be able to finish the period, leading to the goaltending change.
So, the visiting team fires one-third of the shots of the home team, gets out-worked, and they still leave with a win. That’s how the hockey gods chose to amuse themselves , and with that, it’s time to move forward with the confidence that this Leaf team is quite dangerous, and able to take the game to anybody in the league. Sure, Phil Kessel could use a little help, and I think we can safely say Burke is more aware of this than anyone, and will exhaust every prudent opportunity to upgrade. In the meantime, spirited efforts from the likes of Nik Hagman, Stempniak, and Stajan will continue.
Stalwart foot soldier Johnny Mitchell left the action with a knee injury, and is ‘gone for a while’, according to the Leaf bench boss, leading to both the promotion of Wayne Primeau last night, who did the dirty work in front of the crease leading to a Leaf goal, as well as speculation that we will finally get a look at one of the prospects currently with the Marlies. The guy at the top of the list would appear to be Christian Hanson, the top producer in the junior system, who has appeared to be a man among boys, both on the board, and in the physicality department. He has the composure, the physical makeup, the confidence and the skill to make a real impact if given the green light.
Unless the Leaf brass intend to showcase Tlusty in the hopes of getting a trade done, my dough is on the big guy donning number 20.
Speaking of trades, there are rumours circulating that a deal between the Leafs and Chicago is getting closer to getting done. Brent Sopel is the name we keep hearing, with talk of a pick or prospect coming this way, in exchange for some kind of package involving a player with no term going to CHI, along with a prospect . With twenty-one NHL scouts taking in the game last night, you have to think Burkey has a few irons in the fire.
It is doubtful that Hanson, Stalberg or Bozak are in play, as Burke went to great lengths to land two of the three, and Stalberg has too much to give to this club to let get away. So unless we are talking about a Phaneuf, Savard, or Marleau or Bobby Ryan, it stands to reason that Tlusty is the likely piece being exposed. But he’s used to exposing himself…
Sorry…couldn’t leave that one ‘hanging’…
Tampa tomorrow night. The bolts better impose a curfew on their starting goalie. He’s gonna need to be rested up, and he’s definitely going to want a nap when the game is over…
GO LEAFS!
